The Mind Creative SEP 2013
Song and dance are inseparable in Bharata Natyam and the Nattuvanar recites the “bols” or the syllables while leading the orchestra. In Kathak, the rhythm dominates the music although there are often soulful renderings of songs or thumris to which the dancer performs. However, the excitement is provided when the dancer replicates the intricate rhythm patterns through deft movements of the feet and body spins. The other marked difference is that while Bharata Natyam uses the half sitting posture as its base for all their steps, Kathak always uses the straightlegged posture. Bharata Natyam enforces a sense of grandeur through deft stomping of the feet coupled with intricate hand movements. Kathak, on the other hand, is more lucid in its style and the dancer imbibes a certain element of dignity in the body stance. Both dance forms have their own richness and charm and both require long years of rigorous training and dedication in order to master and perfect the art.
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